Fifth-grade students in Ms. Bendure’s class at Mary Snow School in Bangor have taken a deep dive into understanding their local waterways thanks to a year-long partnership with Maine Audubon. This hands-on learning experience has been made possible through the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, supported by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
As part of this watershed learning journey, students explored the Penobscot River watershed system—the largest in Maine—and the critical role it plays in supporting native fish populations. Students investigated local rivers and streams and learned about the remarkable life cycles of fish that depend on these waters, especially migratory, sea-run species like alewives and endangered Atlantic salmon.
One of the highlights of the year was a field trip to Leonard’s Mills Logging Museum in Bradley. There, students met with fish biologist Max Tritt and took part in an immersive, real-world investigation of sea-run fish. Equipped with nets and buckets, the students collected live alewives attempting to enter Chemo Pond from Blackman Stream. Seeing the fish up close allowed students to better understand the challenges migratory species face when returning from the ocean to spawn in freshwater.
To prepare for this experience, students completed a mapping lesson to better understand fish migration routes. Using search engines and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers website, students traced the path migratory fish take from the ocean all the way to Leonard’s Mills. They created visual maps highlighting the interconnected network of rivers, streams, ponds, and obstacles like dams and fish ladders that influence fish movement and habitat success.
By mapping the migration journey and witnessing fish passage firsthand, students gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of healthy river systems and the impact of habitat restoration work in Maine. The project not only deepened their knowledge of local ecology, but also helped students see themselves as stewards of the Penobscot watershed.
As they wrap up their project this spring, these young scientists are taking part in environmental action projects designed to protect and restore aquatic habitats—ensuring the rivers keep running for generations of fish (and people) to come.
